UCL welcomes Government’s long-term strategy for science

Publication date:
Mar 13, 2006 4:06:11 PM

Professor Malcolm Grant, Provost of University College London (UCL), has welcomed
the long-term strategy for science announced today by the Government, and its
commitment to making Britain one of the most competitive locations in the world
for science, research and development, and innovation.

Professor Grant said: “The Government’s announcement today will
be widely welcomed by the scientific community, and the research-intensive universities.
The strategy recognises that if we are to strenghten our position on the world
stage when it comes to scientific innovation and research, then we need to be
laying down long-term investment in people and facilities.

“Institutions such as UCL are already globally competitive in their science
research activity, and competing to attract high-quality scientists and students
from around the world. However, money is a big problem when it comes to competing
on a consistent basis with the leading institutions, especially those in the
US. Today’s announcement is a welcome step towards redressing that imbalance.”

Notes for Editors

1. For the second time running, UCL last year was given the UK’s largest
allocation of capital research funding through the Government’s Science
Research Investment Fund (SRIF) than any other university. UCL’s allocation,
now increased to £68 million, is based on the excellence and volume of
its research across all disciplines.

2. The Treasury set out the Government’s long-term strategy for science
at a breakfast seminar today with leading figures in the scientific community.

3. UCL is currently investing heavily in a capital programme supporting groundbreaking
health, social and technological research. This programme includes:

· the Centre for Auditory Research;
· the Centre for Molecular & Cellular Neuroscience;
· the Centre for Micro Biochemical Engineeering;
· the London Centre for Nanotechnology (jointly with Imperial College).